Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: A Single-Entry Point Endoscopic Intraventricular Approach for Third Ventriculostomy and Pineal Biopsy
Published on: June 28, 2024
Endoscopic transventricular biopsy in brainstem diffuse midline glioma: how I do it
Emanuele La Corte1,2, Micol Babini3, Giada Bortoluzzi3,4
1Pediatric Neurosurgery Unit, IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. emanuele.lacorte2@unibo.it.
Background:
Brainstem diffuse midline gliomas represent infiltrative and rare pediatric tumors with a dismal prognosis. Surgical biopsy is emerging as a valid technique to define diagnosis and molecular markers for future targeted therapies.
Method:
We describe the key steps of an endoscopic trans-ventricular biopsy of a brainstem diffuse midline glioma and associated ventriculomegaly. The relevant surgical anatomy along with an illustrative video is described.
Conclusion:
The endoscopic third ventriculostomy combined with a punch biopsy of a brainstem diffuse midline glioma associated with ventriculomegaly represent a feasible and low-risk procedure to simultaneously treat incipient hydrocephalus and molecular diagnosis for future treatment and research.
